Phenom camp ready to uncover young talent

The stars of tomorrow are gathering in San Diego this weekend for the adidas Phenom 150 camp. Over 350 players will participate in this year's camp at Alliant University with games beginning on Friday, June 23.

Camp director Joe Keller and his staff have identified some of the top players in the country and Rivals.com will spend the weekend watching the rising stars.

One of the highlights of last summer's July schedule was the adidas Top Ten camp, held at the Suwanee Sports Academy in metro Atlanta. Keller said there needed to be an event to pick up where the Top Ten camp left off from last summer. He believers the Phenom 150 camp is the answer.

"We wanted to have something that bridged something between the Junior Phenom camp and the Superstar camp with the older kids," Keller said. "I think we have that with this camp."

Each player will play in seven games and guaranteed to play at least half of the game. The camp will conclude on Sunday with an all-star game, featuring the top 20 performers of the weekend.

Top 2009 players

Dexter Strickland of St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, N.J. is one of the best guards in the camp. He led the 15 and under division of the Tournament of Champions in scoring and hasn't let up all year long.

Fresh off a commitment to Gonzaga, Montana forward Brock Osweiler is ready to prove his worth against the best of the best. He played at the Nike Hoop Jamboree last week.

Team Indiana Elite has had success on the 15 and under circuit in large part to the play of guard D.J. Byrd and big man Stephen Van Treese. Byrd, a 6-foot-5 guard, has been impressive with his play and Van Treese already has offers from a couple of Big Ten schools.

California guard Demetrius Walker is no stranger to the early limelight. He has received national attention since shining at the Junior Phenom camp a couple of years ago. Walker isn't the only Californian to keep an eye on. Big man Joe Burton, a 6-foot-8 forward from San Diego, has the natives excited for his appearance at the camp.

Texas point guards GJ Vilarino and Steve Rogers have the Lone Star State buzzing and two sport stud Vondrae Tostenson from Nebraska played big in the Jayhawk Invitational and has the tools that make people leave with a smile on their face.

Top 2010 players

The rising freshmen class is deep in terms of numbers and talent at the Phenom camp this year.

Philadelphia area guard Tony Chennault shined at the Nike Hoop Jamboree last week and looks to continue his strong play in California.

Texas will be well represented with guards Jamison Sterns and K.C. Ross-Miller. North Carolina forward Jarell Eddie, a 6-foot-5 forward from North Carolina, has shined at spring events with the United Celtics.

Other players of note from the 2010 class include Cody Kale and Trey Zeigler from California, Josh Turner from Connecticut, Joshua Selby from Baltimore Select and Rodney Givens from Missouri.

Break out time

There are plenty more players to note. But that is what the camp is all about. With players from over 35 states participating, the Phenom camp will host players from every region in the nation. Amongst the many, Keller expects a number of players to break out.

"I think people will find a lot of sleepers at this camp," Keller said. "There are a lot of kids that people don't know about and that want to put themselves on the map."

That is what camps like this one are all about. With the majority of the attention being paid to class of 2007 and 2008 prospects, and rightfully so, this camp is the springboard that most young players want as they enter their sophomore and freshmen years in high school.

"There are talented kids coming in from all over the country," Keller said. "I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the court and playing."